Chapter XXII: Book XXI

With the evening in Vidarbha--men at watch, as they drew near,
Mighty Rituparna's coming--to king Bhima did proclaim.
Then that king, by Bhima's mandate--entered in Kundina's walls,
All the region round him echoing[128]--with the thunders of his car.
But the echoing of that chariot--when king Nala's horses heard,
In their joy they pawed and trampled[129]--even as Nala's self were there.
Damayanti, too, the rushing--of king Nala's chariot heard.
As a cloud that hoarsely thunders--at the coming of the rains.
All her heart was thrilled with wonder--at that old familiar sound.
On they seemed to come, as Nala--drove of yore his trampling steeds:
Like it seemed to Bhima's daughter--and e'en so to Nala's steeds.
On the palace roofs the peacocks--th' elephants within their stalls,
And the horses heard the rolling--of the mighty monarch's car.
Elephants and peacocks hearing--the fleet chariot rattling on,
Up they raised their necks and clamoured--as at sound of coming rain.[130]

DAMAYANTI _spake_.

"How the rolling of yon chariot--filling, as it seems, th' earth,
Thrills my soul with unknown transport--it is Nala, king of men.
If this day I see not Nala--with his glowing moonlike face,
Him, the king with countless virtues--I shall perish without doubt.
If this day within th' embraces--of that hero's clasping arms,
I the gentle pressure feel not--without doubt I shall not live.
If 'tis not, like cloud of thunder--he that comes, Nishadha's king,
I this day the fire will enter--burning like the hue of gold.
In his might like the strong lion--like the raging elephant,
Comes he not, the prince of princes--I shall perish without doubt.
Not a falsehood I remember--I remember no offence;
Not an idle word remember--in his noble converse free.
Lofty, patient, like a hero--liberal beyond all kings,
Nought ignoble, as the eunuch--even in private, may he do.
As I think upon his virtues--as I think by day, by night,
All my heart is rent with anguish--widowed of in own beloved."
Thus lamenting, she ascended--as with frenzied mind possessed,
To the palace roof's high terrace--to behold the king of men.
In the middle court high seated--in the car, the lord of earth,
Rituparna with Varshneya--and with Vahuca she saw,
When Varshneya from that chariot--and when Vahuca came down,
He let loose those noble coursers--and he stopped the glowing car.
From that chariot-seat descended--Rituparna, king of men,
To the noble monarch Bhima--he drew near, for strength renowned.
Him received with highest honour--Bhima, for without due cause,
Deemed not he, the mighty raja--with such urgent speed had come.
"Wherefore com'st thou! hail and welcome"--thus that gracious king enquires;
For his daughter's sake he knew not--that the lord of men had come.
But the raja Rituparna--great in wisdom as in might,
When nor king within the palace--nor king's son he could behold,
Nor of Swayembara heard he--nor assembled Brahmins saw.
Thus within his mind deep pondering--spoke of Kosala the lord.
"Hither, O majestic Bhima--to salute thee am I come."
But king Bhima smiled in secret--as he thought within his mind,
"What the cause of this far journey--of a hundred Yojanas.
Passing through so many cities--for this cause he set not forth;
For this cause of little moment--to our court he hath not come:
What the real cause, hereafter--haply I may chance to know."
After royal entertainment--then the king his guest dismissed:
"Take then thy repose," thus said he--"weary of thy journey, rest."
He refreshed, with courteous homage--of that courteous king took leave,
Ushered by the royal servants--to th' appointed chamber went:
There retired king Rituparna--with Varshneya in his suite.
Vahuca, meantime, the chariot--to the chariot-house had led,
There the coursers he unharnessed--skilfully he dressed them there,
And with gentle words caressed them--on the chariot seat sate down.
But the woeful Damayanti--when Bhangasuri she'd seen,
And the charioteer Varshneya--and the seeming Vahuca,
Thought within Vidarbha's princess--"Whose was that fleet chariot's sound?
Such it seems as noble Nala's--yet no Nala do I see.
Hath the charioteer Varshneya--Nala's noble science learned?
Therefore did the thundering chariot--sound as driven by Nala's self?
Or may royal Rituparna--like the skilful Nala drive,
Therefore did the rolling chariot--seem as of Nishadha's king?"
Thus when Damayanti pondered--in the silence of her soul,
Sent she then her beauteous handmaid--to that king her messenger.